I came late to the joys of audiobooks. I LOVE words, and reading plays a big part in my life. However, the challenges of juggling family, work, finding time for my passions, writing and gardening, learning new things, such as Spanish, and finding time to read and write reviews about the books I read, became a chore. I had so little time or energy left to enjoy anything.
Needing to savor new books, I
decided to give audiobooks a try. My first was Valerie Burton’s Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Resilient. This is played on
repeat, and I enjoyed the audiobook so much, I bought a physical copy, read it
and then gifted it to a niece. I am now a big fan of Ms Burton. I have since purchased
some of her other audiobooks.
I can now “Read” While I am Doing
Life
Audiobooks fit seamlessly into my life.
I listen to a book while commuting, cooking, cleaning, exercising, gardening,
or getting ready to go somewhere. They allow me to learn without pausing my
responsibilities.
No Extra Time Required
Audiobooks have allowed me to find
and use the hidden minutes in my day. During a drive, short and especially the
long commutes become a chapter, a lesson, or a calming break.
Audiobooks Are Easier on My Tired
Eyes
After long days of staring at
computer screens and other tasks that require my eyes, audiobooks give my eyes
a rest while keeping my mind engaged. I only need to select what I want to
listen to while resting my eyes. Yeah, sometimes, I may fall asleep, but that
is no big deal. Just as with a printed book, I can start over where I left off.
No pressure.
Now I Multitask Without Guilt
Listening while doing low-focus
tasks helps me learn, escape, or recharge, and best of all, I don’t feel guilty
for using time best dedicated to something else. I love that I can be working
while listening to an audiobook.
Stories Come Alive with Good Narrators
Not all narrators make listening
to audiobooks fun, but most are great at narrating. Good narrators add emotion
and depth, making stories and characters come alive. I also find that some
nonfiction is easier to get into with a narrator who brings depth and emotion
to the telling/reading. Of course, there are funny, laugh-out-loud moments as
well. Some narrators will butcher the language and pronunciation of unfamiliar words.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Lifespan Movement
by Nayana
Williams, but the narrator mispronounced some Jamaican words. This didn’t distract
from my enjoyment of the book, but as a Jamaican, I found it hilarious. This
was another book that I bought after listening to the audiobook. The story of this Jamaican bottled water brand's founder is worth reading. A woman who was open about her challenges, betrayals and determination and success.
My Learning Journey
As someone who is always learning,
audiobooks allow a convenient way for me to learn while on the move, whether commuting,
gardening or doing housework. Even while working, I put on my headphones and
listen to something educational. It is a win-win.
Audiobooks also make books
accessible to almost everyone. The visually impaired, auditory learners, people
who have difficulty maintaining focus, and, of course, tired readers.
Audiobooks offer a great solution
if you want to keep up with reading books you have heard about and want to ‘read’.
Listening to audiobooks while you do the many things you have to do in a day is
about adapting to the new. As busy women, we always feel that we need more time,
but maybe finding smarter ways to use the time we already have is the way to go.
A bonus I have found from
listening to books on Audible, my audiobook platform
of choice, is that it supports my mental health. Listening helps to reduce my
stress, and when I am feeling alone, it brings companionship.
Note: Some links here are
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them at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me
keep creating.
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